It’s one of hundreds.
You won’t find this building in an upscale
section of downtown. Its neighborhood
is less lit, less lively, and more unsettled.
Yet despite its lackluster location, it is
a vibrant place of promise.
It’s one of hundreds of gospel rescue
missions in North America—havens of
hope for the lost and lonely who call the
street home. Inside are hot food, clean
clothing, temporary shelter, and the
possibility of a more abundant life.
Gospel rescue missions have a long
history of providing lifelines for those
drowning in the waves of adversity and
the undertow of addiction. For more than
a century, they have been keeping watch
on the waterfront of despair, and countless men, women, and children have
been saved in every sense of the word.
Gospel is part of their name because their leaders are
compelled foremost by Jesus’ instructions to actively care
for those in need, and to introduce them to the liberating
good news of His kingdom and all it represents.
Their name includes rescue because delivering those in
need from danger is the critical and consuming first part
of a sometimes slow but always exciting journey that leads
to new desires, choices, and direction in life.
The word missions is in their name because those in need
see each of their structures as a bastion of protection
and a refuge from fatigue and failure, similar in concept
to those Southwestern sanctuaries built by pioneering
padres long ago.
Important
Connection
People desire companionship.
That’s how God made us. We love
spending time with others who
sense what we sense, like what
we like, and do what we do.
We formalize this desire through
institutions such as marriage,
community organizations, special
interest clubs, social networking
websites, and associations. While
many of these entities revolve
around the home front, associations generally center on the
workplace. Today, more than
80,000 professional and trade
associations exist. Their primary
purpose is to help their members
bond and band together to
produce positive results in their
respective fields, and to impact
society in general.
Various genres of ministry also
have associations. There is even
one for those working in gospel
rescue missions.
AGRM
The Association of Gospel
Rescue Missions (AGRM) has
been around almost as long
as North America’s missions
themselves. Originally called the
Federation of Gospel Missions
and then the International Union
of Gospel Missions, the organization continues to provide
a tight network of nurture for
those who emotionally expend
so much in ministry. Moreover,
a broad educational component
includes industry certification
and best practices.
AGRM members also take pride in
establishing and sustaining new,
independent rescue missions in
areas where there is great need
throughout North America and
beyond. Dozens of today’s
multifaceted gospel rescue
missions were originally start-ups
launched by the association
through the gifts and guidance
of members on every level.
Many long-time executives who
benefited from veteran advice in
their early years find that giving
back to emerging leaders
through the association is a way
of saying thanks and continuing
a long legacy of hope. This is
seen in the fact that membership is made up of those leading
complex, multimillion-dollar
operations as well as those
running single-focused, smallbudget agencies.
Shared
Values
The many programs, products, and
services provided by AGRM have
grown out of its corporate values.
Those values are, in effect, the
behavioral guidance system for
the association. They are:
Enjoined by Scripture
Following God’s mandates
for life and ministry
Inspired by History
Building on a solid foundation
of positive results
Roused by Culture
Evaluating and moving with
an ever-changing world
Impelled by Compassion
Reaching out to help because
of Jesus’ loving example
Activated by Information
Researching and disseminating
data for decision making
Vitalized by Communication
Keeping the church and
the public in the know
Energized by Collaboration
Sharing with colleagues
the secrets of success
Significant
Mission
An organization’s mission is
the reason why it exists, and
for this day, AGRM’s is quite
compelling. It is twofold:
1) telling the story to the
church and public at large,
and 2) helping missions be their
best through various member
services. Said succinctly:
AGRM exists to proclaim
the passion of Jesus
toward the hungry,
homeless, abused,
and addicted; and
to accelerate quality
and effectiveness
in member missions.
Member Benefits
AGRM has much to offer its members—and member benefits are being
added or modified every month as the world gets more simple and complex
at the same time. Here is what AGRM currently offers or is developing:
News and Information
Publications
. Rescue: Bimonthly industry-wide
magazine covering all aspects of
programming and operations
. Street Smart:
Biweekly inside
and outside news,
statistics,
innovative ideas,
and employment
opportunities
. Soapbox: Weekly spiritual guidance
and opinion blog featuring guest writers
. Affinity Folio: Special online pages
with trends, ideas, and randomly
released blogs in 21 career-related
categories
Educational and
Training Programs
. Executive
Session:
Monthly
inspiration and
management
insights, plus
association
reports for
executive
directors
. City Mission World Association
Conference*: An international
partnership and factfinding event held every
four years
. Annual Convention*:
Inspiring event-of-the-year
with scores of seminars
and an exhibit hall,
geared for everyone in
rescue mission ministry
. District Gatherings*: Multiple
educational and fellowship events held
on the local level across nine regional
territories
. Internships: College- and universitylevel experiential instruction on site
at qualifying member missions across
North America
. Frontline Family and Youth
Conference*: Yearly gathering of
down-line staff who have direct contact
with this emerging ministry population
. CDs and DVDs*: Through Piper
Media, a host of outstanding seminars
and general sessions from AGRM
conventions
. Vanderberg Symposium: Annual
think tank and “iron-sharpening” session
for CEOs of complex ministries with
multiple staff
Formal Networking
Programs
. City Vision College*: Member
discounts and scholarships for classes
toward an undergraduate degree
. New Wave Webinars*: Monthly
online training that calls quick attention
to the newest ideas and theories in
leadership and ministry
. Affinity Webinars: Various careerrelated learning sessions introducing
new rules, regulations, and best
practices industry wide
. Affinity Groups: Profession-related
sections for those involved in case
management, counseling, business
management, foodservice, and
other areas
. Emerging Leaders Conclave:
Facebook and face-to-face connections
for those in rescue mission ministry
under age 35
. List Serves: Automated anytime online
connection for self-proclaimed specialinterest groups within the association
*For this service, there is an additional cost beyond membership, but at a significant member discount.
Online Services
. Directory of Missions: An up-todate listing of member missions,
including contact information, CEO
names, locator maps, and much more
. Business Member Directory:
A quick connection to ministry partners
in the business world who offer relevant
products and services
. William L. Wooley Online Library:
Historic AGRM documents and photos,
plus essential reading for those in the
rescue ministry culture
. Industry Links: Connections to
dozens of companies, service agencies,
and other ministries that understand
and can assist members
. Employment Office*: A page for
members to post job descriptions, and
a page for individuals to post résumés
. Graffiti Wall: A place for members to
post their news, equipment needs, and
prayer requests for other members to see
. Corner Store*: An e-commerce
connection to books, special reports,
apparel, program registration, and
discounted products
Documents and Data
. White Papers: Regularly released
positional and how-to documents
presenting Christian responses to
social and organizational concerns
. Surveys: An annual industry snapshot
of member ministry, plus tabulated info
about salaries, trends, services, felt
needs, and more
Professional Recognition
. Certification*: A confirmation process
verifying legal requisites met and best
practices undertaken in every area
of operation
. Media Innovation Competition:
An annual contest that looks at member
photos, brochures, newsletters,
websites, blogs, and YouTube videos
Professional Consultation
. Toll-Free Helpline: Over-the-phone
management advice for members
needing assistance with specific
problems or unusual situations
. Leadership Team Site Visits*:
Phase-one analysis and recommendations on significant issues from AGRM
staff and key leaders
. Board Development Sessions*:
In-depth, on-site board training in
trends, responsibilities, and conflict
resolution
Contract Services
. Foodservice: Cost-saving program
through Trinity/HPSI that helps members
reduce expenses on food and nondurable goods
. Insurance: Industry advocacy and
reduced-rate possibilities, plus a
member-involved insurance committee
through Merriam Insurance
. Retirement: A retirement plan for
members through Envoy Financial that
features no-load mutual funds and
declining charges based on group volume
. Financial Credibility: Direct
connection from AGRM members-only
website to AGRM-specific resources
on ECFA’s website
. Legislation: Strategic partners
assigned to keep members abreast
of bills, laws, and government-sponsored
opportunities
. Gifts-in-Kind*: Discount on annual
access fee for AGRM members to get
durable goods from various sources
Marketing and
Public Relations
. National Initiatives: U.S. and
Canadian projects pointing to the
hungry, homeless, abused, and
addicted, and to members’ work
and needs
. Local Initiatives*: City and
community programs such as
Sleepless and My Night in a Box
to unite people and rally support
on all levels
. Interviews and Releases:
AGRM press involvement, PSAs,
and YouTube links calling attention
to issues surrounding the most
vulnerable in society
. Connection Calendars*: Everymonth visual reminder of rescue
missions
. Coin Boxes*: Countertop change
collectors providing local community
visibility and a supplement to fundraising efforts
. Curriculum*: Church and Bible
study material expounding on Jesus’
instruction regarding the poor
. Campus Liaisons: Individuals
on numerous college and university
grounds promoting responsibility to
the destitute and related
opportunities
Outreach
. New Creation Service Corp.:
Opportunities for addiction recovery
graduates from all over to mature and
give back through work projects abroad
. Expansion: Give and go opportunities
to help new rescue missions come
to life in important places of need
in various locations
Identification
. Logo: Permission to
use the AGRM logo on
literature and websites,
linking members to an
esteemed, widely
recognized brand
. Membership Certificate: Document
suitable for framing showing connection
with the association, plus number of
years of involvement
*For this service, there is an additional cost beyond membership, but at a significant member discount.
10 Very Good Reasons Why Your
Mission Needs to be an AGRM Member
1. You become part of a huge network of colleagues.
When you join, you instantly get connected to a whole host of friends who are passionate about
the same things that move you, and deal with what you do every day. They become an invaluable
source of advice and inspiration. Through our Affinity Groups, your staff and volunteers can easily
connect with their peers across the continent.
2. You gain access to mission-specific training and resources.
AGRM is the most complete source for rescue mission-related educational seminars and
materials. Our new core curriculum covers all the bases in programming and operations, and
today’s technology allows for great learning opportunities in both physical and virtual classrooms.
3. You are never out of the loop on the latest news and trends.
The news never stops, and AGRM keeps you up to date with what you need to know to make the
right decisions. Our publications and website give you AGRM news and tell you what’s happening in
the halls of government as well as on the streets of North America that is related to what you do.
4. You have a national voice on important issues.
When AGRM speaks to the media or addresses the church, as a member, you are represented.
You can have your voice heard as a part of the whole, or you can participate in association
programs that will put your mission at the podium in front of the microphone.
5. You have a safe “place” to go for advice and support.
When you need a sympathetic ear but aren’t comfortable going to mission staff or volunteers, and
it’s not appropriate to talk to those in your community, you can turn to AGRM. You’ll find someone
who understands what you’re going through, will listen to you in confidence, and will pray with you.
6. You increase your exposure to the public.
People near or far can easily find exactly where you are located and learn precisely what you do
because your name and website will be listed on AGRM’s high-visibility website. This is especially
helpful when people need to place friends and family in the care of someone they can trust far
from home. It also can help potential donors and volunteers find you.
7. You save time and money on things you need to buy.
It’s true that there is strength in numbers, and that is why AGRM can leverage deals in the
business community to bring you significant savings (even if a lot of what you use is donated).
And when the association finds deals, the details are listed and circulated in a number of
members-only sources so you won’t miss them.
8. You keep your whole team moving forward together.
Because AGRM automatically brings some of your key staff members into membership when your
mission joins, the benefits are multiplied throughout your organization. They’ll have access to all
of the valuable resources, and it won’t totally fall on your shoulders to look for training opportunities
or keep them up to speed on what’s happening in the world of rescue mission ministry.
9. You can share your expertise with more people.
Because AGRM is a member-influenced organization, it relies heavily on the experience and skill
of members for content and delivery. There are plenty of places for you to share what you know
through the written or spoken word, and you can help influence policy by involvement in
committees and special task forces.
10. You will receive ongoing spiritual encouragement.
In AGRM, you will find many denominations and affiliations represented. Our focus, however, is
not on our differences but on the passion and person of Jesus. So while an association is very
different from a rescue mission, those of us involved in AGRM are just as committed to the gospel
as you are. Therefore, one of the big benefits you receive is a subtle but constant reminder of why
we do what we do, and whom we are serving.
BONUS REASON: You can help hundreds of future leaders.
Even if you are in a mission that is relatively self-sufficient, AGRM provides the channels for you to
give back and help perpetuate the positive things that have gone on for decades in rescue mission
ministry. Teddy Roosevelt said it this way: “Every man owes part of his time and money to the
industry to which he is engaged. No man has a moral right to withhold his support from an
organization that is striving to improve conditions within his sphere.”
Sign up online or download a membership application at www.agrm.org.
For more information about the Association of Gospel
Rescue Missions, log on to www.agrm.org, or email
[email protected]. Numerous data links, historical and
statistical facts, a membership directory, and a list
of member benefits are available on the website.
1045 SWIF T STREET l N. K ANSAS CITY l MO 64116
T. 816.471.8020 l F. 816.471.3718 l WWW.AGRM.ORG
Photos by Jelani Memory, Shaun Smith, Dennis Chapman, Genesis Photos, Camp Bennett, Boise Rescue Mission,
Denver Rescue Mission, Orange County Rescue Mission, and Vancouver Union Gospel Mission